New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-11-30
EVILS OF LAND GRANT LEGISLATION.

gcRyTARY LAMAR on THE ENORMOUS ABUSES TO
wvICH THE sYsT~M HAS GIVEN RISE.
WASHINGTON Nov. 20.-One OF the most IMPORTANT
tsureS Of Secretary Lsmar's forthcoming annual re
PIT is the part which relates 70 the adjustment OF
'riroad land grants He received this part OF his
port from the Public Printer 20 day. In II he says
SHORTLY after my appointment to the position
have the honor 20 hold. became moro and more
Impressed with the fact that the public domain was
hing diverted from IT'S legitimate purpose and con
eted 10 objects the Inevitable effects OF which were
spugnant to the entire theory on which the iand
system based | became convinced that the
administration OF Congressional grants OF lands to
ragon an railroads had given rise to abuses
d" not for moment mean 10 question the WISDOM
" aiding IN the construction Of railroads.
Ihough much good has been wrought, certain II IS
ea the LEGISLATION by which vast territories passed
snder the dominion OF railroad companies gave an
mnrsbe wound 10 the homestead scheme before
Nat scheme had fair opportunity for isplayng It's
<befcent effects
This land grant legislation was certainly not In
irmony with the theory Of distribution of the
public domain among the people and gave up 10
capitalists as basis for trafic and speculation and
rgsn'ic financial schemes what was py the
~iginal policy Of the Government designed 10 pe
knes for an Industrious and thrifty people, 'he
sSodes Of domestic happiness and virtue ana
sriotism Notwithstanding those indemnity with
swas were made exclusively for the interests OF the
company few ~ these II any OF them, conStTuctcu
heir roads within the time prescribed In the granting
sas as express condition on which the grant vas
tade The settler ignorant Of his legal
hthts and with 10 advise him with respect To
her the Law tho facts would for the sake ~ peace
ND home readily consent TO purchase from the com
ANY, In this way these corporations In addition 10
'ac LANDS granted to them have claimed sold and re-
sived the price OF great deal OF land to which they
ad neither legal nor moral right, nor the shadow Of
ether.
Years have Elapsed since many Of the grants have
teen made, and other years since the withdraw ais
some Of the companies have constructed tho entlro
Line Of their roads, Others hagmentary portions only
i,nd others again none At all but tho Withdrawals Of
The lands we're no less effective as barrier against
IAe settlers In the ono than in the other 1t
bred not what might DO his equities acquired by years
III toll upon what he believed to DO part of he
National domain.
@wih an earnest desire to oboy the mandate Of
Congress to give to the corporations their every right
S,r the aw, entered ,pop "a Gs cSrs, na Iaw "a
e1Sen, was clothed with authority to make lndem-
natter entirely within sound discretion and not mat
" y legal obligation in poet that tho same
hnes, Justified said Withdrawals, now demanded
rsmptorily in the public interest speedy revocation
wing IN adjustment II tho land k'snts. and doing
Ss Justice to the companies guarding and promot.
- pablo t. enter into composition with tho c;m.
,s N the sslscuon e lands heretofore Withdrawn
viknG.v necessity Of appropriations for surveys
nas ross which he says eSmplete adlgsiIent =
Yer 10000 LETTERS WITHOUT ADDRESSES.
1 NseTos Nov. 29-The report Of John D. Baird,
NJ tla Iuoad alta QhnUo hat